Housing and Stress: Examining the physical and mental health differences between homeless and formerly homeless individuals

Kristen A Desjarlais-deKlerk

Abstract

This paper examines differences in physical and mental health between homeless individuals living in shelters, and formerly homeless individuals living in government-assisted housing. Utilizing Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) data from Calgary, Canada, this study finds no significant difference in mental health between the two groups. However, regardless of housed status, past stress exposure negatively influences both current physical and mental health. Formerly homeless individuals in housing were more likely to report having a physical ailment compared to those in the homeless shelter. Furthermore, individuals in housing appear to have a greater exposure to stressors, yet their mental health is no worse than those in the homeless shelter. Housing may protect against the deleterious effects of cumulative stressors on current physical and mental health. This would appear to support the belief of Housing First policy, that access to housing is the first step to eliminating homelessness in an individual’s life.